Paul Parry has gone from non-league player to FA Cup finalist

Paul Parry is hoping to cap an FA Cup final appearance with a Wales recall.

The striker, 27, has told Wales boss John Toshack he will soon return from a self-imposed 18-month exile due to personal problems.

"I didn't say I'd finished playing for Wales," he said. "I just said I wanted a break away from it.

"Once I've sorted my problems out I'll come back. My aim is to be back for the World Cup qualification games at the start of next season."

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Parry, who joined the Bluebirds from Hereford, added: "I had a few things off the field that I needed to concentrate on and that needed getting sorted.

"Getting back playing for Cardiff was my main concern, but I'm not finished in any way - I just wanted a break from it and asked not to be included in a few of John Toshack's squads.

"But I've spoken to him and said that probably looking at things now I'll be looking to get back into the squad at the start of next season.

"We've spoken a few times on the phone since I told him I didn't want to be included in a few of his squads and he phoned me up not so long back and asked me when I wanted to be back.

"I've spoken to him and I'll probably speak to him again before the end of the season."

In the meantime Parry is looking forward to enjoying being one of football's rare species, going from non-league to the biggest domestic cup final in the world.

"It's a big week for me and everyone at the club and hopefully we'll do ourselves justice," said Parry.

I'm used to playing in the early rounds and getting knocked out before the third round so getting to an FA Cup final is what it's all about Paul Parry

"The fact I used to play in non-league football makes me savour it even more. I'm used to playing in the early rounds and getting knocked out before the third round.

"So getting to an FA Cup final is what it's all about and everything I dreamed of when I've been playing football.

"I'd go to grounds and the changing rooms were no bigger than a matchbox, so to speak, but it's such an occasion to turn up at Wembley and see a full ground so it's a moment to savour.

"I've only been to Wembley to for our semi-final and other than that I went to watch a game back in the early 1990s at the old stadium, but it was a fantastic stadium when I went back there a few weeks ago.

"In the last two seasons I've played 40-odd games last season and 50 this and hopefully I've nailed myself in the thoughts of the manager."